Allergies – ahh-choo!

Spring is here! As the beautiful weather arrives, so do the pollen and other allergens. Adults aren’t the only ones who suffer from allergies. According to WebMD, as many as 4 out of 10 children suffer from indoor and/or outdoor allergies. Fortunately there are a few tips to help lessen allergy symptoms.

The first helpful idea is to keep the child’s room as free from allergens as possible since this is where most children spend the majority of their time. You can add an allergy cover (mattress topper) on the child’s bed and pillows which will prevent dust mites which can aggravate allergies, and will help lessen pet dander. These can be found at Walmart, Bed Bath and Beyond, and other department stores.  If possible, keep pets out of their bedroom entirely; if not possible, then try and make sure pets are washed regularly (at least once a month).  It is also a good idea to limit the number of stuffed animals in the child’s room as these often collect allergens and worsen symptoms. When washing their sheets, try a very high heat setting and also try a vacuum with a HEPA filter.

Because of the warmth this time of year, most children love playing outdoors. This is wonderful for exercise and the release of energy, but rolling around in the grass can bring the pollen inside on their clothes. The next tip would be to change their clothes as soon as they come in from playing for the day so that they are carrying the pollen for as small amount of time as possible. Also, wash their clothes in hot water before allowing them to wear them again and make sure they take a warm bath daily.

Lastly, invest in a dehumidifier. There are many different types.  Vicks sells one specifically for children that has a light on top that projects stars on the ceiling. This will help them breathe better and will lessen nasal congestion. It can be purchased at any major pharmacy such as Walgreens or CVS, as well as, Walmart, Target, etc.

Allergies can be a real annoyance for anyone, but especially children who can’t seem to overcome the symptoms. Hopefully these tips will help provide some relief! If not, please contact a doctor; medication may be required depending on the age of the child and the severity of symptoms.

This entry was posted on Monday, April 2nd, 2012 at 6:37 pm and is filed under Raleigh Nanny & Babysitting Blog. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.